Inti Raymi Tour in Cusco: what the Festival of the Sun experience is like
Inti Raymi, the most important Inca festival of Andean culture, takes place every June 24 in Cusco. During this day, the entire city becomes the stage for an impressive reenactment of the ancient Tahuantinsuyo empire, led by the Inca. This magnificent festival is mainly reenacted in three settings: Qoricancha, Plaza de Armas and Sacsayhuamán. For this reason, many people choose to book the Inti Raymi tour, which allows them to enjoy the celebration with an organized itinerary, access to strategic viewing areas, and a much more complete experience. Have you booked the Inti Raymi tour and want to know what this celebration is like? Discover everything that awaits you and get ready to experience the Festival of the Sun at its fullest expression.
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Inti Raymi Tour: complete experience itinerary
The Inti Raymi tour is an experience that takes place every June 24 in the city of Cusco. On this day, visitors immerse themselves in a celebration filled with historical reenactments, along with dances, rituals, music, and vibrant colors.
Although the festival takes place across three settings (Sacsayhuamán, Plaza de Armas, and Qoricancha), the main ceremony is held in Sacsayhuamán, an ancient Inca fortress located high above the city of Cusco.
Entry to this site (duration 2 hours 30 minutes) is exclusively with the Inti Raymi ticket, unlike Plaza de Armas, where the event is free (duration 45 minutes), and Qoricancha (duration 45 minutes), where it is also free, although some seats can be reserved.
The Inti Raymi tour experience includes entry to the main show in Sacsayhuamán, as well as transportation from the city of Cusco, guided assistance, a box lunch, and return transportation to the city at the end of the performance.
Inti Raymi tour itinerary:
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11:30 a.m. – Meeting at Regocijo Square:
The Inti Raymi tour begins at Regocijo Square (located next to the Plaza de Armas) with the meeting of the group and the tour guide. Once everyone has gathered, the group will board tourist buses to travel toward Sacsayhuamán. The buses are located just a few minutes from Regocijo Square. -
12:00 p.m. – Transport to the archaeological site of Sacsayhuamán:
During the trip to Sacsayhuamán, the professional guide will accompany visitors, providing assistance and sharing recommendations to help them enjoy the experience. In addition, each participant will receive a box lunch to enjoy upon arrival at the Sacsayhuamán seating area. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes. -
02:00 p.m. – Start of the main Inti Raymi show:
Upon arrival at Sacsayhuamán, each participant will be seated in their assigned spot. Thanks to the early arrival, visitors can enjoy their lunch calmly and explore part of the esplanade before the main ceremony begins. The Inti Raymi performance lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. -
05:30 p.m. – Return to the city of Cusco:
At the end of the show, the guide will accompany the group back to the tourist buses located near the exit of the site. The return ends at Regocijo Square, the same starting point. Visitors who prefer may also return to Cusco on their own.
Inti Raymi Tour + Qoricancha
The classic Inti Raymi tour experience can be complemented with the opening ceremony at the ancient Qoricancha temple. By booking this option, you can witness one of the most important moments of the Festival of the Sun, where the Inca officially begins the celebration. In this version, the tour starts at approximately 08:30 a.m., since the Qoricancha performance begins at 09:00 a.m. In addition, you will have guided assistance throughout the entire day, allowing you to enjoy Inti Raymi in an organized and safe way.
What to see during Inti Raymi in Cusco
During the historic celebration of Inti Raymi, many reenactments can be witnessed, including rituals and dances from the four regions of the Tahuantinsuyo that fill the atmosphere with color and joy.
Although each ritual takes place in a specific venue, the dances and musicians are present from the opening at the Qoricancha temple to the closing of the celebration in Sacsayhuamán.
Below, discover the main performances that take place across the three Inti Raymi venues:
| Ritual / Ceremony | Description | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Llama sacrifice | A reenacted act in which a symbolic sacrifice of a black llama (symbol of purity) is performed. This ritual was meant to determine the gods’ favor, linking the condition of its organs with the empire’s prosperity. | Sacsayhuamán Fortress |
| Chicha ritual | In this ritual, chicha, a traditional Andean corn-based drink, is consumed and offered to the Sun god as a sign of devotion. The liquid is then poured into a channel that carries it to Qoricancha, the temple of the supreme deity. | Sacsayhuamán Fortress |
| Sacred fire ritual | This reenactment features the lighting of fire using sunlight reflection, with the help of a gold bracelet and a container filled with wool. The fire, previously extinguished throughout the empire, symbolizes the trust and protection that the Sun god grants to the Inca and his people. | Sacsayhuamán Fortress |
| Sankhu (sacred bread) ritual | This ritual features the Sankhu, a small corn bread blessed with the blood of the previously sacrificed llama. The bread is then distributed to break the fasting period observed by the population in preparation for Inti Raymi. | Sacsayhuamán Fortress |
| Coca leaf ritual | This ceremony seeks the blessing and protection of the apus, sacred mountains in Andean cosmology. Through the reading of coca leaves, predictions are made about the future of the empire and the well-being of its people. | Plaza de Armas |
| Encounter of the times | This event features the Inca and the mayor of Cusco, who symbolically receives a khipu (a system of cords and knots used by the Incas to transmit information), representing the knowledge and cultural heritage of the ancient Tahuantinsuyo. | Plaza de Armas |
| Sun greeting | This is the first ceremony of Inti Raymi, where the Inca asks for the blessing of the Sun god to begin the Festival of the Sun under the best omens. | Qoricancha |
How to buy tickets for Inti Raymi
Inti Raymi tickets can be purchased through the EntradaIntiRaymi website up to one year in advance. To book entry to the main show in Sacsayhuamán, the following steps must be followed:
- Visit the Entrada Inti Raymi website and check availability. It is recommended to book at least two months in advance.
- Then, you must choose between the three available grandstands: Green stand, Red stand, and Orange stand (VIP and Super VIP areas).
- If you purchase the Inti Raymi Full Day tour, you must also choose your preferred grandstand. Transportation, guided service, and box lunch are already included.
- After selecting your preferred grandstand, you only need to complete the payment so the reservation confirmation is sent to your registered email.
- Remember that tickets are delivered either digitally or in person two days before Inti Raymi, since the organizing authority officially issues them only at that time.
Differences between the Inti Raymi grandstands
The main Inti Raymi performance in Sacsayhuamán can be viewed from three different grandstands, offering various angles of the impressive show featuring more than 800 performers.
The Red stand, Green stand, and Orange stand (VIP and Super VIP areas) offer different advantages. Discover their main features:
| Red Stand | Green Stand | Orange Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Located on the western side, it offers a right-side view of the performance. | Located on the eastern side, it offers a left-side view of the performance. | Located in the central area of the event, it provides a direct view of the performance. |
| Thanks to its location, visitors are protected from the sun. It has approximately 1,056 seats available. | It is the most affordable option and also offers discounts for domestic visitors. It has approximately 720 seats available. | This stand is divided into two areas: the central section as Super VIP and the side sections as VIP. It has approximately 1,768 seats available. |
| Minimum booking: 2 months in advance. | Minimum booking: 1 month in advance. | Minimum booking: 2 months in advance. |
Seat availability at Qoricancha
The seating available for the Qoricancha performance is much more limited. If you wish to complement your experience with the Inti Raymi opening show, you should book your tickets at least two months in advance, as only around 200 seats are available.
How long Inti Raymi lasts
The Inti Raymi festival includes three reenactments held in different locations across the city. Each one has a different duration, and between performances there is free time to travel to the next venue.
If you choose to attend all three Inti Raymi performances, the experience runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with an approximate total duration of 7 hours and 30 minutes. Discover how long each Festival of the Sun performance lasts:
- Qoricancha show: 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
- Plaza de Armas show: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Sacsayhuamán show: 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tips for watching Inti Raymi
- The Inti Raymi festival is celebrated every June 24, although the city is filled with festivities from days earlier due to Cusco’s jubilee month. Therefore, if you want a more complete experience, it is highly recommended to arrive a few days in advance.
- June is part of the dry season in this region, offering clear skies and warm days, although temperatures drop significantly at night and in the early morning.
- On Inti Raymi day, the city of Cusco comes to a standstill, making walking the best way to get around the city center, especially to places such as Qoricancha and Plaza de Armas.
- The Sacsayhuamán performance is the only one that requires an entrance ticket, while the Qoricancha and Plaza de Armas events can be viewed for free if you arrive several hours in advance.
- The Inti Raymi Full Day tour is the best option to experience this historic festival. In addition to entry to the main show in Sacsayhuamán, it includes transportation, guided service, and lunch, allowing for a more comfortable and safe experience.